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Dallastown student wins statewide Distinguished Young Women contest

Eden Cohen, YorkDailyRecord
Published 9:03 p.m. ET May 3, 2015

Winners and runners-up from the Distinguished Young Women of York County contest, from left to right, Devon Hornberger, Caitlyn Parker, Rose Arbittier, Anna Hallett, and Emily Salter. These are the winner and runners-up.(Photo: SUBMITTED)

Dallastown Area High School student Rose Arbittier won the statewide competition for Distinguished Young Women today, said Lyn Bergdoll, who is contest chairwoman for the York County contest.

Arbittier now will move on to the national level, Bergdoll said.

"It's very exciting for her," she said.

Original report

Dallastown Area High School student Rose Arbittier was announced as the winner of the 50th Distinguished Young Women of York County contest.

"I was really surprised," she said. She said she felt all of the other contestants were talented enough to win.

Thirty York County 11th-grade young women performed Saturday night at Central York High

School with over 1,000 attendees watching.

Arbittier won the overall contest and three preliminary categories, said contest chairwoman Lyn

Bergdoll. She won in scholastics, talent and self-expression, Bergdoll said.

"I feel so honored, and I hope to fill last year's winner, Jordann's, shoes," she said.

For her several victories, Arbittier won $14,300 in scholarships. Overall, $40,000 was awarded to

participants, which is more than is awarded at any other local program in the country, Bergdoll said.

The first runner-up was York Suburban High School student Devon Hornberger, who was awarded $7,000. Second runner-up Caitlyn Parker of Dallastown Area High School was awarded $5,000.

Bergdoll said the contest emphasizes the participants' excellence and focuses on their achievements.

"It's a life-altering and empowering experience," she said.

After participating in the contest, Arbittier said she realized the contest is truly a scholarship

program and not just a pageant. It emphasizes academic achievements heavily, she said.

Participants are 11th-grade young women in York County who have acceptable grades, community service time and performable talents.

In addition to participants' performances, the West York Jazz Ensemble, the York County Senior Honors Choir and last year's winner, Jordann Smith-Kingston, performed. Local news station WGAL's co-anchor Jere Gish acted as master of ceremonies.

The next step for Arbittier, as far as the contest goes, is to attend the state-level Distinguished Young Women's competition in late July.

Beyond that, Aribittier said she hopes to start a charity providing after-school activities for

students with special needs. She has already started a version of her dream called Rosie's Class.

Scholarship winners

The following are the winners in each preliminary category and their awards:

Interview: Devon Hornberger from York Suburban High School; Jennifer Elder from Central York High

School $1,200 each

Scholastics: Rose Arbittier from Dallastown Area High School; Devon Hornberger from York Suburban

High School $1,000 each

Talent: Rose Arbittier from Dallastown Area High School; Anna Hallett from PA Cyber Charter School $800 each

Fitness: Samantha Gentzler from West York Area High School; Caitlyn Parker from Dallastown Area High School $500 each

Self Expression: Rose Arbittier from Dallastown Area High School; Caitlyn Parker from Dallastown Area High School $500 each

Be Your Best Self: Makayla Sheffer from West York Area High School $500

Spirit Award: Ashli Glatfelter from Northeastern High School $500

Fourth Runner Up: Emily Salter from Central York High School $3,000

Third Runner Up: Anna Hallett from PA Cyber Charter School $4,000

First Runner Up: Devon Hornberger from York Suburban High School $7,000

Second Runner Up: Caitlyn Parker from Dallastown Area High School $5,000